This year’s graduates from Baoshan Junior High School, five students who were trained in drumming skills by U-Theater staged a graduation public performance at the school today (June 12). These five students who also took part in the U-Theater's 100-Kilometer Cloud Feet activity in July last year, overcame an arduous challenge to carry their big drums to the top of Mt. Hehuan where they performed. They left indelible memories and their spirit has also won them a chance to perform overseas, the trip to be arranged by Magistrate Chiu.
Magistrate Chiu attended the graduation public performance of the drummers of Baoshan Junior High School. As well as presenting them with allowances, certificates of merit and signing promotional posters, he also exhorted them to show the same spirit as Cho Tian Folk Drums & Arts Troup in the film Din Ta Leader of the Parade that performed in all 23 of Taiwan’s counties and cities and whose members also, dressed as Prince Nezha, crossed the Sahara desert, nurturing indomitable determination and endless patience. He also called on them to redouble their practice efforts so they can perform to the highest level possible when they perform overseas in a trip to be arranged by the county government.
Baoshan Junior High School Principal Fan, Su-hui pointed out that, in October, 2013, U-Theater members went to remote junior high schools in Hsinchu County to teach drumming and also staged winter training on January 19 at Jianshi Junior High School. After qualifying to take part in the 100-Kilometer Cloud Feet event, on April 27 last year, the drummer of Baoshan Junior High School first played at the Tung Flower Festival held at Baoer Reservoir; this was the first time that the school’s drum group had appeared in public. Then, on May 9 last year, setting off from Donglong Temple in Donggang, Pingdong County, U-Theater’s 100 kilometer Cloud Feet activity took the young drummers from Baoshan Junior High and 37 other students from seven junior high schools in Hsinchu County to more than 10 attractions and scenic spots including Fo Guang Shan Buddha Memorial Center, Yuanlin Performance Hall, Fengtian Temple in Xingang, Chiayi County Chihe Temple in Xinfeng, Hsinchu County, reaching Taipei’s Huashan 1914 Creative Park on June 13 and staging the final performance in the rain.
After the Cloud Feet event ended, the five young drummers, with the support of parent and convener Huang, Rong-hua, with sponsorship and support from local people, on July 17 last year carried big drums for two hours from down the mountain to the top of Mt. Hehuan. They successfully overcame the challenge they set themselves and played the tune taught by the teachers of U-Theater.
The young drummers recounted how playing on the mountain top had been so peaceful and beautiful. They thanked all those who have helped them on their way and Magistrate Chiu and local people for their support, at the same time bringing their three years as a member of the school drum group to a perfect end.
Convener Huang, Rong-hua said the members of the drum group will graduate in June this year. On the eve of leaving Baoshan Junior High School they staged a graduation public performance. He hopes that in future they will go from strength to strength and win glory for themselves and the school.